Summer vehicles bring injury risk

School is out and kids are flocking to motor bikes, all-terrain vehicles, water-mobiles and other vehicles for fun this summer.
Many parents may not realize the injury risk these vehicles can bring.
Most parents buckle up their kids for safety in the car, but did you know that children are at high risk for injury from recreational vehicles as well?
A new study on children treated at emergency rooms over a 14 year period found that more than 1.2 million kids sustained injuries from motor bikes, go-carts, water mobiles and other types of motorized vehicles.
Off-road, all-terrain vehicles, also known as ATVs, caused nearly half the accidents.
Children over age 12 were at greatest risk for injuries from ATVs. In most cases the injured child was not driving at the time of the accident.
Kids riding as passengers were just as likely to be hurt.
More than 50 percent of the kids suffered serious cuts and bruises, and another 25 percent sustained fractures.
In roughly one out of 10 cases the injuries were serious enough to require extended hospital care.
Experts say that children under 16 shouldn't ever operate an off-road vehicle. And all kids using motorized bikes, cars or snow- and water-mobiles should be sure to wear a helmet and eye protection every time.

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